In addition, Terry McAuliffe received the Firework Award, given annually by Virginia Pride to leaders who help fight for LGBTQ equality in Virginia. In his speech, he reminded the audience of the incredible progress the state has made in LGBTQ rights, as well as basic human rights. “Everybody deserves to live life with zero discrimination.”

In 2014, his first year in office, he became the first sitting Virginia governor to attend VA PrideFest, as well as proclaimed June LGBTQ Pride Month across the state, another first for a Virginia governor. He has since returned every June to release a similar proclamation and every September to take the PrideFest stage.